Bitofapilchard
Waterwheel.....
.........central to the display is the massive, 26 foot diameter waterwheel built in 1869, which features the system of ventilated buckets designed by William Fairbairn, but was so seriously corroded that it is had to be rebuilt. It is now restored to full working order for the summer programme of open days.
Sherborne, Dorset.
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The Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre houses an extensive collection of Victorian engineering. Central to the display is the massive, 26 foot diameter waterwheel built in 1869, which features the system of ventilated buckets designed by William Fairbairn, but so seriously corroded that it is had to be rebuilt, it is now restored to full working order for the summer programme of open days. Visitors can see the wheel driving a twin cylinder pumpset built in 1883 by Sparrow's of Martock for a local tannery. We also have a Hindley steam engine like that originally installed to supplement the water supply provided by the waterwheel housed in a new bujilding.
These main exhibits are supported by a wide ranging display of artifacts mainly concerned with water pumping. Included are several small ENGINE/PUMPSETS.
Also on display are the very substantial remains of the Nether Cerne Manor Waterwheel. This wheel was built for Nether Cerne Manor by Maggs of Bourton in 1819 and is certainly one of the oldest all iron waterwheels that remain in England.
There is also an excellent picnic area.
The site is owned by Wessex Water and is located along Oborne Road, Sherborne DT9 3RX
Waterwheel.....
.........central to the display is the massive, 26 foot diameter waterwheel built in 1869, which features the system of ventilated buckets designed by William Fairbairn, but was so seriously corroded that it is had to be rebuilt. It is now restored to full working order for the summer programme of open days.
Sherborne, Dorset.
----------------------
The Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre houses an extensive collection of Victorian engineering. Central to the display is the massive, 26 foot diameter waterwheel built in 1869, which features the system of ventilated buckets designed by William Fairbairn, but so seriously corroded that it is had to be rebuilt, it is now restored to full working order for the summer programme of open days. Visitors can see the wheel driving a twin cylinder pumpset built in 1883 by Sparrow's of Martock for a local tannery. We also have a Hindley steam engine like that originally installed to supplement the water supply provided by the waterwheel housed in a new bujilding.
These main exhibits are supported by a wide ranging display of artifacts mainly concerned with water pumping. Included are several small ENGINE/PUMPSETS.
Also on display are the very substantial remains of the Nether Cerne Manor Waterwheel. This wheel was built for Nether Cerne Manor by Maggs of Bourton in 1819 and is certainly one of the oldest all iron waterwheels that remain in England.
There is also an excellent picnic area.
The site is owned by Wessex Water and is located along Oborne Road, Sherborne DT9 3RX